`Spy Kids' say goodbye in 3-D adventure

Ian Spelling, Special to the TribuneCHICAGO TRIBUNE

The world just won't be as safe or as fun a place now that the Carmen and Juni Cortez are calling it quits. That's right, the "Spy Kids" big-screen adventures will conclude with "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over," which opens Friday. KidNews sent out our own spy to track down the film's stars, 14-year-old Alexa Vega and 11-year-old Daryl Sabara. Here is his report.

Q: What's the plot of "Spy Kids 3?"

Alexa (on a cellphone from Manhattan after an interview with MTV): We're stuck in this video game and it's done in 3-D, so there's one scene where we lava-surf. There are five levels to the game, and we basically bring the audience with us. They come on the mission and get to experience all the levels of the game.

Daryl (on the phone from the bedroom of his Los Angeles home): The story is that Carmen gets trapped in a video game by [a bad guy called the Toymaker, played by Sylvester Stallone] and I have to go save her.

Q: How much have you grown up since starting the "Spy Kids" movies?

Alexa: I think I've grown a lot, especially working with this crew. We've made these movies in Texas, and everyone is so down to earth and there to have a good time. Plus, I have a big family. I have four sisters. So all of that has helped me grow as a person.

Daryl: We've definitely gotten older and taller, but we haven't changed that much.

Q: Alexa, what's been the best and worst part of working with Daryl? Daryl, what's been the best and worst part of working with Alexa?

Alexa: The best and worst is that he's become like my little brother. I'd worked with him before "Spy Kids," so I've known Daryl for about six years. He's like my little brother on set, and at times that can be really nice and at times that can be really annoying.

Daryl: The best part is that we act like brother and sister. And . . . there is no worst part.

Q: What's next?

Alexa: I'm going to do a movie called "Sleepover." It's about a slumber party. It's got a little love story going on and it's very cute.

Daryl: I just did the pilot of an animated television show called "Father of the Pride." I play John Goodman's son and Carl Reiner's grandson, and my character's name is Hunter.

Q: What do you make of the idea of your own kids watching the "Spy Kids" movies one day?

Alexa: I think my kids will make fun of me. They'll say, "Mom, you were such a dork." I've wondered what my kids are going to think of "Spy Kids," because when I'm 40 they're going to have high-tech things and are going to look at the movies and say, "Oh my gosh, that was so 2000. Look at that, it's digital. Mom, those movies look so lame." But I still think it'll be fun to watch the movies with my kids.

Daryl: It'll be awesome to say to my kids, "This was me when I was little." Maybe my kids will look like me too.